The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears

by Mark Batterson

We may be out of luck, but we’re not out of prayer.

Sometimes faith seems like a denial of reality, but that’s because we’re holding on to a reality that is more real than the reality we can perceive with our five senses.

a spiritual contract is more binding than a written contract.

Let’s get Mark out of the way so we can get this deal done.

God speaks in the past tense, not the future tense. He doesn’t say, “I will deliver.” God says, “I have delivered.” The significance is this: The battle was won before the battle even began. God had already given them the city. All they had to do was circle it.

“Stop praying for it and start praising me for it.” True faith doesn’t just celebrate ex post facto, after the miracle has already happened; true faith celebrates before the miracle happens, as if the miracle has already happened, because you know that you know that God is going to deliver on His promise.

Prayer and praise are both expressions of faith, but praise is a higher dimension of faith. Prayer is asking God to do something, future tense; praise is believing that God has already done it, past tense.

past-tense principle

How do you all feel about the past tense principle?

And for the record, even if God doesn’t answer the way you want, you still need to praise through.

resurrection is the central tenet of the Christian faith.

Prayer has the power to resurrect dead dreams and give them new life — eternal life.

what promise God has put in your heart.

What promise has god put in your heart?

I don’t know what dream you’re holding on to or what miracle you’re holding out for,

What dream are you holding out for? Or what miracle are you holding on to?

don’t just pray through; praise through.